Self-Fitting, Self-Adjusting, Automatically Adjusting and/or Automatically Fitting Orthopedic or other (e.g. non human use) Immobilization Splint or Device

Abstract

Provided is a self-fitting and automatically adjustable clasp band/strap which is usable in medical immobilization (e.g., casts, splints, braces) and multiple other fixation devices. The clasp band/strap may have a shape memory material and clasp members attached to two ends of the clasp band/strap. Upon stimulation by a trigger source, the shape memory material deforms which brings the two end portions closer to each other, causing the two clasp members to attach to each other to form a closure. Additionally, the clasp band/strap may include a motor, a control unit, and sensors to enable a motor actuated fine tensioning. Finally, the clasp band/strap may have an adhesive backing or any other kind of annealing or connective backing, such as a Velcro strap with an adhesive backing, for attaching to a splint or other object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An immobilization and fixation device for treating a body part of a patient, comprising:
 a composite adapted to perform a therapeutic function;   a plurality of clasp bands attached to the composite, each of the plurality of clasp bands having a proximal end and a distal end,   a plurality of clasps, each of the plurality of clasps having two clasp members,   wherein each of the plurality of clasp bands attaches to one or two of the clasp members on one or both of its proximal and distal ends,   a shape memory material disposed in the plurality of clasp bands,   a trigger source in communication with the shape memory material,   wherein the trigger source is configured to provide a stimulus to the shape memory material,   wherein the shape memory material is configured to transition between a temporary shape and a memorized shape automatically upon receipt of a stimulus, and   wherein the transition of the shape memory material causes the two ends of the plurality of clasp bands to move towards to each other, thereby facilitating the clasp of the two clasp members.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the plurality of clasp bands attaches to one of the clasp members.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the plurality of clasp bands attaches to two clasp members on its proximal and distal ends respectively.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clasp bands are removably attached to the composite. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shape memory material comprises two shape memory materials,   wherein the two shape memory materials provide counteracting actuation such that a first shape memory material is configured to shape transition in a first direction in response to a first stimulus and a second shape memory material is configured to shape transition in a second direction in response to a second stimulus simultaneously, the second direction being opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of clasps is a magnetic clasp, wherein the two magnetic pieces of the magnetic clasp are mutually attracted to each other by magnetic force over a space, such that the clasp members clasp to form an overlap without prior physical contact. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motor disposed in a first clasp member, the motor being configured to adjust a position of the plurality of clasps with respect to the plurality of clasp bands in order to tighten or loosen the plurality of clasp bands,   sensors disposed on interior surfaces of the plurality of clasp bands, the composite, and a combination thereof, and   a control unit in communication with the motor, the sensors, and the trigger source,   wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the trigger source to send a stimulus to the shape memory material; and   wherein the control unit is configured to control activation of the motor based on measurements provided by the sensors.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the control unit is configured to start the activation of the motor if the measurements provided by the sensors are higher or lower than a predetermined threshold value, and   wherein the control unit is configured to cease the activation of the motor if the measurements provided by the sensors reach the predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 ,
 further comprising a user input unit in communication with the trigger source and with the control unit,   wherein the control unit is configured to control activation of the motor in response to instructions provided by the user input unit, and   wherein the trigger source is configured to send a stimulus to the shape memory material in response to instructions provided by a user input unit.   
     
     
         10 . A clasp band for facilitating an automatic closure comprising:
 a first half band having a proximal end and a distal end,   a second half band having a proximal end and a distal end,   the first and second half bands being configured to be removably attached to an limb at least at the proximate ends of the half bands,   a clasp having first and second clasp members attached to the two distal ends of the first and second half bands respectively so as to connect or disconnect the first and second half bands at the distal ends,   a first shape memory material disposed in the first half band,   a second shape memory material disposed in the second half band,   a first trigger source in communication with the first shape memory material,   a second trigger source in communication with the second shape memory material,   sensors disposed on the first and second half bands,   a control unit in communication with the first and second trigger sources and with sensors,   wherein each of the first and second trigger sources are configured to provide a stimulus to each of the first and second shape memory materials,   wherein each of the first and shape memory materials is configured to transition between a memorized shape and a temporary shape upon receipt of a stimulus,   wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the first trigger source to provide a stimulus to the first shape memory material in response to sensed information provided by the sensors, causing the first half band to curve with its distal end moving toward the center of an arc of a closed position of the band, and   wherein the control unit subsequently instructs the second trigger source to provide a stimulus to the second shape memory material, causing the second half band to curve its distal end and move toward the center of the arc of the closed position of the band, thereby facilitating the clasp of the first and second clasp members.   
     
     
         11 . The clasp band of  claim 10 , wherein the back of the two half bands comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The clasp band of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the first clasp member having a first magnet piece, and   wherein the second clasp member having a second magnet piece.   
     
     
         13 . The clasp band of  claim 12 , further comprising a motor disposed in one of the first and second clasp members,
 wherein the motor is configured to adjust a position of the clasp members with respect to the half bands,   wherein the control unit in communication with the motor,   wherein the control unit is configured to control activation of the motor based on measurements provided by the sensors.   
     
     
         14 . The clasp band of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the control unit is further configured that, before clasping, the control unit instructs the motor to adjust the position of the second clasp member so that the two distal ends are aligned on top of each other with a magnetic piece on each end facing each other, thereby facilitating the two magnetic pieces to clasp by magnetic force.   
     
     
         15 . The clasp band of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the sensors are touch sensors, pressure sensors, force sensors, capacitive sensors, conductivity sensors, light or optical sensors, heat sensors, strain gauges, stress gauges, bend sensors, magnetic sensors, location sensors, accelerometer sensors, mechanical sensors, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         16 . The clasp band of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the sensors are configured such that number, configuration, type and pattern of the sensors in contact with an limb determines timing for closing and tensioning of the first and second half bands; and   wherein a user selects number, configuration, type, and pattern of the sensors to be in contact with an limb and enters the selections in the user input unit so as to control timing for closing and tensioning of the first and second half bands.   
     
     
         17 . The clasp band of  claim 10 , wherein the stimulus is application of electric current. 
     
     
         18 . The clasp band of  claim 10 , wherein the proximate ends of the two half bands are connected to each other, such that the clasp band is a one-piece band. 
     
     
         19 . The clasp band of  claim 10 , wherein the shape memory material is nitinol. 
     
     
         20 . An item that is adapted to be worn on a body part, comprising:
 a composite having a shape memory material and a non-shape memory material;   at least one pair of clasp members attached to the composite;   a motor disposed in one of the first and second clasp members, the motor being configured to adjust a position of the clasp members with respect to the composite,   a trigger source in communication with the shape memory material, the trigger source being configured to provide a stimulus to the shape memory material;   the composite being configured to transition between a memorized shape and a temporary shape upon receipt of a stimulus;   sensors disposed on the inner layer of the item,   a control unit communicatively connected to the trigger source, the motor, and the sensors;   wherein the composite is configured to self-assemble between a memorized shape and a temporary shape around the body part in response to a first trigger from the trigger source and to stop self-assembly in response to a second trigger from the trigger source,   wherein the at least one pair of clasp members clasps upon self-assembly,   wherein the composite assembled into the temporary shape is adapted to affix around the body part, and e   wherein the control unit regulates an amount of pressure exerted by the composite on the body part detected by the sensors by control the activation of the motor.   
     
     
         21 . A belt with an automatic closure and self-adjusting ability comprising:
 an elongated body having two end portions,   a buckle having first and second buckle pieces attached to the two end portions of the elongated body respectively so as to connect or disconnect the two end portions of the belt,   a motor disposed in one of the buckle pieces,   a shape memory material disposed in the elongated body, the shape memory material comprising a nitinol,   a trigger source in communication with the shape memory material,   sensors disposed on the elongated body,   a control unit in communication with the trigger source, the motor, and sensors,   wherein the trigger source is configured to provide a stimulus to the shape memory material,   wherein the shape memory material is configured to transition between a memorized shape and a temporary shape upon receipt of a stimulus,   wherein the motor is configured to adjust a position of one of the buckle pieces with respect to the elongated body,   wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the trigger source to provide a stimulus to the shape memory material in response to sensed information provided by the sensors, causing the band to curve with its end portions moving toward the center of an arc of a closed position of the band, thereby facilitating the clasp of the buckle pieces, and   wherein the control unit is configured to control activation and deactivation of the motor based on measurements provided by the sensors.